Ancient Bread Unearthed in Turkey, Dating Back 8,600 Years

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According to archeologists in Turkey, they have found the world’s oldest known bread, which dates back to 6600 BC.

A largely destroyed oven structure was discovered in an area known as “Mekan 66” at the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey's province of Konya. The finding was reported by Turkey’s Necmettin Erbakan University Science and Technology Research and Application Center (BİTAM).

Archaeologists also uncovered wheat, barley, pea seeds, and a palm-sized, round, “spongy” residue around the oven, as stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.

Analyses revealed that the organic residue found was 8,600 years old and belonged to uncooked, fermented bread.

Archaeologist Ali Umut Türkcan, who is the head of the Excavation Delegation and an associate professor at Anadolu University in Turkey, stated to Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that this discovery at Çatalhöyük is considered to be the oldest bread in the world.

A smaller version of a loaf of bread, with a finger pressed in the center, not baked but fermented, has survived to the present day with the starches inside. According to him, there is no similar example of something like this to date.

Biologist Salih Kavak, a lecturer at Gaziantep University in Turkey, mentioned in the release that scanning electron microscope images showed air spaces in the sample. The sighting of starch grains "eliminated our suspicions," he added.

Analyses revealed chemicals from plants and signs of fermentation. A mixture of flour and water was prepared, then the bread was placed near the oven to ferment.

Kavak expressed his enthusiasm, calling it a significant discovery for both Turkey and the world.

The organic matter – both wood and bread – was preserved by thin clay that covered the structure, according to Türkcan.

Cross section of stump

Cross section of stump

Neil Davies

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Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was home to around 8,000 people during the Neolithic period from about 10,000 BC to 2,000 BC. According to BITAM, it is recognized as one of the earliest urbanized areas in the world.

Extensive research conducted at Çatalhöyük has unveiled unique housing layouts and remarkable features like wall paintings and reliefs. The site is often referred to as "the most significant human settlement documenting early settled agricultural life of a Neolithic community," as stated on the UNESCO website.

Çatalhöyük, already known for being the center of many firsts, had the world's first weavings and wooden artifacts when it was excavated. Additionally, wall paints and paintings were discovered at the site. Türkcan mentioned that Konya and Turkey are fortunate to have such significant findings in Çatalhöyük.

Editor's P/S:

The discovery of the world's oldest bread in Turkey is a testament to the ingenuity and culinary advancements of our ancestors. Dating back to 6600 BC, this bread provides valuable insights into the origins of agriculture and human civilization. The preservation of the organic matter in thin clay offers a unique opportunity to study the ingredients and techniques used in early breadmaking. This discovery further solidifies Turkey's rich cultural heritage and its role as a cradle of innovation.

The research conducted at Çatalhöyük has shed light on the development of human society, from its early agricultural roots to the emergence of urban settlements. The site's remarkable preservation and extensive excavation efforts have yielded invaluable artifacts and knowledge, including the discovery of the oldest bread. This discovery underscores the importance of archaeological research in uncovering the hidden stories of our past and providing a deeper understanding of the human experience.ük played in the development of human civilization.